by FraudInfo

Date First Reported: March 2012

Primary Name Associated: Toru Hashimoto

Description of Potential Fraud:

fraud-warning

An Ontario lawyer has notified us that they’ve received two emails from the purported Toru Hashimoto looking to retain them with regards to a collection matter. The introductory email would seem to be a setup for a scam similar to other debt collection frauds we have seen. For a full description of how this fraud works and to see other names attached to it, see our Confirmed Fraud page that deals with business load frauds.

Here is the initial email:

From: Tushar Meher
To: [email protected],
Date: 17/03/2012 11:38 AM
Subject: I urgently have a collection matter for you

I am Toru Hashimoto the owner and CEO of Takatori Int’l Law and Patent Office firm here in Japan. I urgently have a collection matter for you in your jurisdiction reply me to discuses this further because of the time difference between Asia and America we prefer communication via email

Regards

Toru Hashimoto
Takatori Int’l Law and Patent Office
Rm.301, Kamiya Bldg.
32-6, Minami Ikebukuro 2-chome, Toshima-ku,
Tokyo
ZIP 171-0022
(03)3983-8011
Email:[email protected]
**** Safety awareness saves lives ****
(Industrial Safety Week 04March-11March 2012)

———————————–
M-TECH Innovations Ltd, Pune, India

How to handle a real or suspected fraud

If you have been targeted by any of these frauds, please forward any of the emails and supporting documents that you have received to [email protected].

If you suspect you are acting on a matter that might be a fraud, call LAWPRO at 1-800-410-1013 (416-598-5899). We will talk you through the common fraud scenarios we are seeing and help you spot red flags that may indicate you are being duped. This will help you ask appropriate questions of your client to determine if the matter is legitimate or not. If the matter you are acting on turns out to be a fraud and there is a potential claim, we will work with you to prevent the fraud and minimize potential claims costs.

If you have been successfully duped, please immediately notify LAWPRO as there may be a claim against you.

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Fraud Fact SheetMore fraud prevention information and resources are available on the practicePRO Fraud page, including the Fraud Fact Sheet, a handy reference for lawyers and law firm staff that describes the common frauds and the red flags that can help identify them.